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Poll: NHS decisions should be left to doctors, say majority of Britons Poll: NHS decisions should be left to doctors, say majority of Britons
(about 9 hours later)
The majority of British people believe the NHS has become a political football used cynically to win votes and should be trusted to professionals who understand how best to provide healthcare, according to an opinion poll carried out for the British Medical Association.The majority of British people believe the NHS has become a political football used cynically to win votes and should be trusted to professionals who understand how best to provide healthcare, according to an opinion poll carried out for the British Medical Association.
The Ipsos Mori survey, released on the first day of the BMA's annual representatives meeting, also found that a third of people were in favour of parliament setting targets for the NHS, compared with 42% who were opposed. The union said the findings supported its insistence that decisions on patient care should be free from political interference and left to doctors.The Ipsos Mori survey, released on the first day of the BMA's annual representatives meeting, also found that a third of people were in favour of parliament setting targets for the NHS, compared with 42% who were opposed. The union said the findings supported its insistence that decisions on patient care should be free from political interference and left to doctors.
The chair of the BMA council, Dr Mark Porter, said the NHS was "one of the most politicised public services in the UK. Whether it is the targets forced on doctors, GP appointments that are more about box-ticking than clinical care, or short-term, headline-grabbing policy initiatives – all of these are being done for political expediency and to win votes. As a result, patient care is taking a back seat to scoring points over the dispatch box."The chair of the BMA council, Dr Mark Porter, said the NHS was "one of the most politicised public services in the UK. Whether it is the targets forced on doctors, GP appointments that are more about box-ticking than clinical care, or short-term, headline-grabbing policy initiatives – all of these are being done for political expediency and to win votes. As a result, patient care is taking a back seat to scoring points over the dispatch box."
The survey of nearly 2,000 people across Britain, weighted to be nationally representative, found that 73% believe that political parties are designing health policy to win votes, not to do what is best for the NHS, and that 65% believe the NHS should manage itself without the involvement of politicians as it understands how best to provide healthcare.The survey of nearly 2,000 people across Britain, weighted to be nationally representative, found that 73% believe that political parties are designing health policy to win votes, not to do what is best for the NHS, and that 65% believe the NHS should manage itself without the involvement of politicians as it understands how best to provide healthcare.
The public also showed a preference for doctors participating in decisions about how the NHS is run, with 55% saying they should have "high involvement", over managers (34%).The public also showed a preference for doctors participating in decisions about how the NHS is run, with 55% saying they should have "high involvement", over managers (34%).
Motions to be debated at the annual representative meeting accuse the coalition government of facilitating privatisation of the NHS and endangering public health through austerity measures but the survey results indicate unease at political interference from all sides.Motions to be debated at the annual representative meeting accuse the coalition government of facilitating privatisation of the NHS and endangering public health through austerity measures but the survey results indicate unease at political interference from all sides.
Porter cited Labour's pledge to guarantee a GP appointment within 48 hours as well as the government's plan for doctors' surgeries to be open seven days a week as changes being lined up before the next election that "might look good on a leaflet" but "don't address the challenges that have left GPs struggling to deliver the care, time and appointments their patients need.Porter cited Labour's pledge to guarantee a GP appointment within 48 hours as well as the government's plan for doctors' surgeries to be open seven days a week as changes being lined up before the next election that "might look good on a leaflet" but "don't address the challenges that have left GPs struggling to deliver the care, time and appointments their patients need.
"Doctors want to see politics taken out of the NHS once and for all. It is clear that the public feel the same way. Yes, politicians should be accountable for the running of the NHS, but when it comes to decisions on patient care it is time to allow doctors to do what they do best – lead the delivery of high-quality patient care.""Doctors want to see politics taken out of the NHS once and for all. It is clear that the public feel the same way. Yes, politicians should be accountable for the running of the NHS, but when it comes to decisions on patient care it is time to allow doctors to do what they do best – lead the delivery of high-quality patient care."
In response to the poll, the government insisted that its reforms had empowered medical professionals. Health minister Dr Dan Poulter said:
"Our reforms cut unnecessary red tape and gave doctors and nurses, who know their patients best, the power and freedom to make decisions in the best interests of their local community."
A Labour spokesman defended the party's pledge on GP waiting times. "Only Labour is serious about investing in GP surgeries," he said. "We have pledged £100m to help patients get appointments more quickly – too many are waiting a week under this government."A Labour spokesman defended the party's pledge on GP waiting times. "Only Labour is serious about investing in GP surgeries," he said. "We have pledged £100m to help patients get appointments more quickly – too many are waiting a week under this government."
Of those polled, 57% said they were satisfied with the running of the NHS, while 25% said they were dissatisfied.Of those polled, 57% said they were satisfied with the running of the NHS, while 25% said they were dissatisfied.